Picture Perfect

I know everyone remembers the traditional hospital pictures that everyone has of themselves or their children.  The ones with the hospital blanket in the hospital baby bed with the baby wearing a white shirt or onsies.  Well, things have changed.  Atleast, they have at St. Vincents Hospital.  They have a photography company that goes room to room taking newborn pictures for parents called Our365.  The lady did all of the pics at the foot of my hospital bed.  She let me change him into his Alabama outfit and used blankets that I brought to the hospital.  The pictures turned out great! Eli's sweet parents bought the CD for us with all the pictures on it.  We also got a free 10 x 13 of one picture.  Here are a few of the pictures!
                      
                      
                      
                      
                                 
We also went yesterday afternoon to have Colin's newborn pictures takenby Jennifer Branham.  He did really well even though we were moving him around and changing him constantly.  He was awake for some pictures and asleep for some which is good because I wanted some of both.  She also took a few family shots!  She has already posted a sneak peek up for us, so I thought I would share!  I can't wait to see the rest of them.
                     

Colin's Birth Day

Last Thursday will be a day that I remember for the rest of my life as one of the best days ever.  Last Thursday we welcomed our precious baby boy into this world.  It all started at 10:45.  At 10:45, I started having contractions that felt just like Braxton Hicks.  I was cleaning, so I really just though it was because I was up on my feet doing too much.  After about 30 minutes, I knew that these were different than any that I have had before.  I decided that it would be agood idea for me to shower and make myself presentable just in case this was the real thing.  All the while, the contractions were coming every 6 minutes give or take a few.  I really did feel that it was the real thing, but I was nervous to tell anyone else because I didn't want to jinx myself.  Finally, around 12:30, I called my mom and told her about the contractions and how they were becoming more uncomfortable.  She told me to time them for a little longer and to call her every 10 minutes and update her!  My contractions were now coming on every 5 or 6 minutes.  Finally around 2:15, I was talking to mom and my contractions were getting really painful that they were bringing tears to my eyes and I couldn't talk.  My mom told me that I really needed to call the nurse.  She told me that I needed to go ahead and go to L and D.  I made the call to Eli around 2:30, so he headed home, and we made it to the hosiptal around 3:30.  When the nurse checked me, I was only 1 cm, but she was pretty confident that I was going to be admitted.  Of course, I was asking her how confident she was and she told me she was 90% sure that I was staying.  She hooked my up to monitor my contractions (which were now coming every 2 1/2 or 3 mintues).  At 4:15, my water broke and it was a done deal.  She started to admittance process.  Eli and I decided it was time to inform the family.  After my water broke, the contractions were unbearable.  I really thought that I was going to die the pain was so intense.  Within 90 minutes of my water breaking, I got my epidural and everything was smooth sailing from there.  I went from 5 to 8 or 9 to fully dilated within an hour and a half.  At 7:30, the nurse began prepping my room for delivary.  I started pushing at 7:45 and Colin made his grand entrance at 8:06.  It was the greatest feeling seeing my son for the first time.  He was so perfect!  I was so overwhelmed by the love that I felt for this little boy already.  God is so good!  We are very blesses to call him ours!  Here are a few pictures from the hospital:) 
                              
                   
                              
                              
                    
                              
Happy 1 week Colin!  Mommy and Daddy love you so much:)
                              

Introducing Colin

Hi guys! It's Steph, Kim's sister. I'm posting from the Bahamas for Kim bc she is in the hospital. Collin Ollie made his entrance into the world last night at 8:06.

He weighed 6 lbs. and 13 oz. and was 20" long.

Kim and Eli are ecstatic to have their baby boy here safely.

Labor went smoothly and progressed quickly and both mommy and baby are healthy.

He looks just like his daddy, in my opinion.

Collin you are a very lucky baby. You have a wonderful mommy and daddy who will give you lots of love, not to mention a very big family who will spoil you rotten. I can't wait to meet you! I love you to pieces already!!

Love, your aunt Steph

I'm sure Kim will update again soon with more pics.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Colin's Room

The nursery is finished, and we are so happy with how it looks.  Here is a picture of what is to the right of the door when you enter his room. 
                            
The picture frame on the middle shelf has a place for 3 pictures and says Mom + Dad = Me.  I think I am going to put a picture of Eli and I from last summer in the first slot, a maternity pic in the second, and a family pic in the 3rd.  Haven't decided for sure though.

Here is a picture of the corner between the dresse/hutch and his bed.  It was a great way to store his quilts, blankets, and stuffed animals.  I would also like to get another basket to go in the corner on the other side of his bed for his toys:) 
                            

Here is a picture of his bed with is letters. 
                            
Even though his letters look painted, I actually wrapped them with yarn. I love them, and I think they look great in his room!  Also, his daddy worked very hard to get them perfectly lined up and making sure they were all the same distance apart:)  Here is closer look at most of the letters!
                             
 
Here is a better picture of his bedding!
                            
 
This is a picture of what you see when you walk into the room.  I actually painted (I traced the elephant outline) the canvas hanging above the dresser.  I find it easier to make what I want instead of shopping around and never finding what I want.

                            

Here is a closer look at the picture frames that I ordered to match his bedding. One is on the tall dresser and one is on the dresser/hutch.  I will probably put some pictures of Colin with his mommy and daddy in them! 
                    
All we need now is baby!  We can't wait for Colin to get here:)

37 Weeks

How far along? 37 Weeks and 3 day


Sleep: The bathroom breaks are getting a bit ridiculous!  I get up atleast 3 times a night and by get up I mean roll the best I can out of bed.  It is also hard for me to go back to sleep afterwards.  Oh well, not too much longer right?!  

Movement: Still moving around a good bit.  He has the hiccups atleast once a day too! 

Food cravings:  Well, this past weekend I cheated on my diet and had Japanese.  It was amazing!  I already can't wait to go back!

Gender: Precious Baby Boy- Colin

Labor Signs: I have some backaches every now and then.  I am also having contractions, but nothing consistent....YET!  I am actually looking forward to it though because that mean I will get to meet and hold my sweet little man.

Belly button in or out? It's an outtie

What I miss: Dr Pepper and being able to get up from laying down without having to roll around and grunt!

What I am looking forward to: My doctor's appointment on Monday:) and meeting my little man when he decides he is ready to come out!

Doctor Update: I was suppose to go to the doctor yesterday, but I went Monday instead.  They thought that I might be leaking fluid, so I went in to get checked out.  False alarm.....but the good thing was I got another ultrasound and got some more pics of Colin.  He is definitely going to have some plump lips like his mommy and daddy.  Seeing the ultrsound of him makes me more anxious to see him and hold him in my arms.  I go back Monday, unless Colin decides to come before then. 

Belly Pic
                             

What I'm Loving Wednesday

             

I am loving that I am ready for Colin.  I am 37 weeks (as of Monday), and I am ready!  Our bags are packed and ready, all his his clothes are washed, and his room is finished.  We have the car seat in the car and the Pack n Play up in our room.  We are excited and anxious to meet our little man. 
                    

I am loving that Colin's room is finished!!  It has actually been finished for a week now except for some frames I ordered.  It looks great!  I love going in there because it just makes it more REAL:)  We are really going to have a precious baby boy any day now!  YAY!  Here is a pic of his letters over his bed, and I promise the nursery reveal post will be up Friday!!
                    

I am loving the new outfits that I got Colin this week.  He got a ton of onsies and sleepers at his showers, but not very many actual outfits.  It is hard to find little boy outfits, but I think I got some cute ones!
                    
I am loving my sweet husband!  I have never added him to my WILW list, but he deserves to be on it weekly!  He has been so great these past couple weeks getting everything together for Colin.  He even went shopping and didn't complain about it!  He did a great job putting all the wall decor up in the nusery, putting the pack n play together, and putting the carseat in the car (even with me questioning over and over again if it was tight enough).  He is an amazing husband and will be an unbelievable Daddy!  Colin and I are so lucky to have him!
                                  

I am loving that Steph will be home by August 1st!  I know that she is probably a little sad to leave her friends in the Bahamas, but we are all so excited to have her home.  What is even better is she will be home during my maternity leave, so we get to catch up on some much needed sister time:)  Love you Steph, and we can't wait to have you home!
                      

Happy Wednesday Friends!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

             

I am loving that the nursery is complete other than a small shipment that should be here today or tomorrow.  Look for the big reveal post on Friday.  We spent this past weekend picking up a few remaining items we needed and putting the nursery together:) 

I am loving that I have packed my bags for the hospital!  I know I am only 36 weeks, but I like to be prepared.  After all, I will be considered term next Monday!  I still can't believe how fast it has gone by.

I am loving that I bought Colin a diaper bag this week.  I am too picky I guess, but the diaper bag selection that they have out there for boys are not very good.  I also refused to spend $80-$100 for a diaper bag.  I would rather have a few cheaper ones that I can switch out when I want to.  I got him the perfect diaper for football season:)  Hopefully, I will find another I like too:) 
                   

I am loving that football season is only 53 days away!  Also, Baby Colin will be here to enjoy this season with us.  He aslo has a ton of Alabama outfits to wear to support his team:)
                   


  

36 Weeks

How far along? 36 Weeks and 1 day

Sleep: Sleep is still good other than the bathroom breaks.  It is definitely getting harder to get up from the bed though. 

Movement: Still moving pretty good.  I can feel him moving very very very low which is kind of weird feeling. 

Food cravings: JAPANESE:)  Some fried rice and veggies with special sauce.....yummy!

Gender: Precious Baby Boy- Colin

Labor Signs: Still the same- A few Braxton Hicks everyday. A few backaches here and there, and I also have been having some sharp menstrual type cramps.

Belly button in or out? It's an outtie
What I miss:  Dr Pepper..... when I am around others drinking soda it is so hard not to take a little sip!  I know if I take one sip it will just make me want more!  I can have diet drinks, but I just do not like them or their horrible after taste!

What I am looking forward to: My doctor's appointment on Thursday:) and meeting my little man when he decides he is ready to come out!

Doctor Update:  When I went last week, the doctor said everything was perfect:)  Colins heartrate was 145 and the doctor estimated that he weighed 5 or 6 lbs.  I was not dilated any, but he said that I was starting to thin out.  We go back Thursday morning and hopefully I will have progressed some more.  I will also find out my results from the Strep B test.

Belly Pic
                         

35 Weeks

How far along? 35 Weeks and 3 days

Sleep: Sleep is still better good other than the bathroom breaks. 

Movement: He is still moving a good bit.  I can tell that he is getting too big for his small space though.  His movements are more dragging movements then kicks.  His also has the hiccups at least once every other day.  Eli can feel them too:)

Food cravings: I was really wanting Milos the other day!  Good thing I only have a few weeks left because it is getting harder to resist the foods I can't have!

Gender: Precious Baby Boy- Colin

Labor Signs: Still the same- A few Braxton Hicks everyday. A few backaches here and there, and I also have been having some sharp menstural type cramps. 

Belly button in or out? I am going to go ahead and call it out.  I think you can even see it sticking out in my belly pic:)
What I miss:  Nothing too much this week

What I am looking forward to: My next doctor's appointment which is today and finishing up Colin's room this weekend!

Doctor Update:  I go for my 35 week check up this afternoon.  I will post an update later:)

Belly Pic
                            

What I'm Loving Wednesday

           

I am loving our sneak peek of our maternity pictures.  I can not wait to get the disk of all of them.  I will share more when it comes in.  Thanks so much Jennifer Branham!
                     
                    

I am loving my new bracelets.  My older sister has been giving the kids hair wraps while we are all out at the lake.  She uses the same thread that you would use to make bracelets.  I know, I did this when I was in like junior high, but its fun and makes me feel young again.  I started this bracelet, but have not finished it yet.
                   
My step sister also taught us how to make bracelets out of plastic string (I am not sure what the technical name is for this material).  It does not take near as long as the thread bracelets, and they are super cute too:)
                  

I am loving that I declared this weekend Baby weekend.  Eli and I are going to shop for the remaining neccessities that we need to get before Colin arrives and finish the nursery.  I still have everything from the last shower separated into piles in his room!  I hope to have it 100% completed, so I can show everyone next week:)  After all, I only have a few more weeks!

I am loving these two shows this summer! 
            
            

I am also loving that Sara Shepard just added another book to the Pretty Little Liars series! 
                      
Happy Wednesday Everyone!!

4th of July Weekend

We had such a great, relaxing 4th of July weekend.  Friday during the day I went to watch Halle's Summer Show Off.  She went to camp all week and learned songs and dances to perform at the end of the week.  Her birthday was also Friday.  I still can't believe that she is 9 years old!!  We love you Halle B:)
                   
We spent Friday night at the Sonnet House in Leeds watching a good friend get married.  Best wishes to Shaun and Haley Jernigan!
                              
Saturday, Eli and I spent the day lounging in our pool:)  IT may not be very big, but it is big enough for us to relax and float in!
                              

Saturday night we went to the Helena Amphitheater to see US band and watch the fireworks.  Helena has celebrations at the amphitheater on most holidays and this was the first time we have been able to go.  We had a lot of fun and hope to take part in more activities in the future.  We also enjoyed the music by US.  Eli and I use to go see them during our college days, so it brought back some great college memories:)
                      
                      
                      
                      
Sunday, we headed out to Logan Martin Lake to spend some time with my family and celebrate a couple of birthdays!  The only thing missing was Steph.....We love you!
                               
                   
We hope that everyone had a fun, relaxing holiday weekend.....we certainly did!!